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As a journalist I have written about social issues and international affairs for the Guardian, the Independent, New Internationalist, Huffington Post, Equal Times and the Big Issue in the North, among other titles. I now work at the University of Leeds as a qualified careers professional, helping international students fulfill their career ambitions

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High court to grant landmark inquest into nurse death mystery

The family of a 41-year-old nurse from Stockport who died in
2005 are to be granted a fresh inquest following their investigation into the strange
circumstances surrounding her death and relationship with the former head of
ethics of the British Medical Association (BMA).

Carole Myers was found dead in 2005

After an original inquest into the death of Carole Myers
returned an open verdict, the Felstead family obtained her psychiatric and
medical records which revealed she had undergone “recovered memory” therapy
sessions on the NHS from the age of 21.

During these sessions she was given psychotropic drugs and was
encouraged to believe she had been abused by her parents who she alleged were
serial murderers and members of a satanic cult.

Her new memories also included claims that she had been
abused by two members of the Tory cabinet at the Conservative party
headquarters.

Although these allegations were later shown to be false, their
accuracy was never questioned by therapists. Ms Myers was diagnosed as a victim
of satanic abuse and received intense psychiatric and medical treatment over a
period of 20 years prior to her death.

The Family’s application for a new inquest centres on
revelations about Carol’s relationship with Dr Fleur Fisher, the former head of
ethics at the BMA. Records show that in 1986 Ms Myers attended “psychosexual counselling” sessions with Dr Fisher who
continued to play an active role in her psychiatric treatment throughout her
life.

Evidence has also come to light causing concern over Dr
Fisher’s behaviour after Ms Myers’ death.

On 29th June 2005 the Metropolitan police
received an emergency call from Dr Fisher who was travelling on a train approximately
200 miles from Ms Myers’ flat. Dr Fisher told police that she believed the
nurse may have taken a drug overdose.

Although she was not named in Ms Myers’ will and had no
power of attorney to represent her, Dr Fisher subsequently claimed to be her
“next of kin” and attempted to arrange her cremation. The funeral arrangements
were only cancelled after Ms Myers’ family were contacted by the Coroners’
office a day before it was due to take place.

Dr Fisher disposed of all Ms Myers’ possessions in her
London flat and insured herself on her car. In an audio recording recovered
from an insurance company she can be heard taking out a policy and claiming Ms
Myers was her “unofficial daughter.”

None of this evidence was included at the original inquest
and Dr Fisher was never called to testify.

In March the Felstead family were given rare permission by
the Solicitor General to apply to the high Court to seek a new inquest. Following the decision a coroner in
Westminster agreed to hold a fresh inquest.

The case has now been placed on the Warned List at the High Court where judges are expected to set a date for a fresh inquest which will be held in London.

Ms Myers' family believe a new inquest will provide them with answers to questions they have long been seeking.

Ms Myers’ brother Kevin Felstead, who co-authored a
self-published a book on the case titled ‘Justice for Carol: The True Story of
Carol Felstead’ said:

“First and foremost we want Dr Fisher to appear at the
inquest like she should have at the original one. What’s also got to happen at
this inquest is the whole sorry tale of Carol’s treatment needs to be exposed.

She had two decades of psychiatric treatment to recover memories of things that
never happened. It all needs to come out.”

Ms Myers' father Joseph Felstead said:

“I don’t know whether
we can get full justice for Carol. We can’t undo the past – all the psychiatric
treatment can’t be undone.”

“We want a truthful, factual narrative as to how Carol died.
The last inquest certainly didn’t provide it…We’re hopeful that the new inquest
will tell us things that we didn’t know before.”

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Comments

Anonymous said…

"I think it is appalling that her family of origin have managed to get hold of her medical records and broadcast them all over the internet. One of her brothers has even tweeted that he is looking for someone who ca do an exhumation. The press seems to have just bought their story without questioning it ( and that of the British False Memory Society which now employs one of her brothers ).

Anonymous, I am Carol's brother David. Please provide your full contact details so that if you respond to this comment with any false, libellous/slanderous comments, we can immediately take legal action against you and if necessary report you to the relevant authorities. Can you now provide full details of your involvement with my sister and full details of any claims that you wish to make, with all supporting evidence for your claims.

Anonymous, what do you mean by the term "her family of origin?"I assume that your crass comment is a reference to Carol's family. Why don't you identify yourself?The original Inquest into Carol's death has now been quashed and a fresh Inquest granted, together with a new Coroner's Inquiry. The reason the press have reported this story is because it is an appalling scandal which needs exposing. Some of the people who 'treated' Carol constitute a threat to public safety. The psychotherapy and hypnotherapy Carol received would bring shame on a medieval quack. The fact that these practices continue in the 21st Century is nothing short of a national disgrace. Moreover as every right-thinking individual knows doctors cannot be allowed to attempt to illegally cremate patients, dispose of their possessions and insure their car after they have died.(Dr)Kevin Felstead

So happy this is finally going to happen and Carole's family might be able to find out exactly what has went on for they twenty years and maybe find a little peace no matter how small that may be. It all sounds very wrong what they two doctors have done and hopefully both of them will be made to attend and give evidence then be held to account for terrorising this poor woman.

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